TUAC voiced concerns about the focus on regulatory burden reduction Regulatory Policy Committee’s “Simplifying for Success” roundtable on 10 April, following the launch of the 2025 OECD Regulatory Policy Outlook on 9 April.
The roundtable comes amid a new wave of deregulation initiatives being promoted by many governments, often under the guise of “simplification” or “cutting red tape.” TUAC warned that these efforts risk undermining essential social, environmental and worker protections.
Regulation serves an essential purpose in our societies. Framing it merely as a 'burden' creates a negative perception that undermines its crucial role in pursuing important societal objectives.
TUAC raised concerns about the methodology used to calculate regulatory burdens, with impact assessments often focusing exclusively on costs to businesses while overlooking broader societal benefits. Arbitrary targets such as “one in, one out” policies were particularly criticised, with trade unions arguing that regulation is not a zero-sum game, and that governments should not be prevented from introducing necessary legislation simply because they cannot identify something else to remove.
During discussions, trade union participants highlighted how EU assessments estimate that protecting workers from asbestos costs businesses €33 million per year, while failing to account for the significant public health benefits.
What about the cost to society of not having rules to protect workers against asbestos? According to numbers from the European Parliament, asbestos was responsible for the largest number of deaths due to occupational carcinogens in 2016. A 1% reduction in the incidence of cancer equates to €400 million in savings.
Trade unions emphasised that regulatory simplification methodologies must recognise the political nature of these decisions and ensure robust consultation with all affected groups, not just business interests.
As the OECD develops this initiative, TUAC will continue advocating for a regulatory policy approach that delivers for workers, citizens and the environment, with comprehensive consultation processes and proper recognition of the social and environmental benefits of regulations.
Photo credit: IndustriALL / Qamrul Anam
